Method for removing casings from sausages and the like



METHOD FOR REMOVING CASINGS FROM SAUSAGES AND THE LIKE Original Filed June 15, 1950 S wt lr g x mml March 23, 1954 D ARE 'T ETAL 2,672,649

METHOD FOR REMOVING CASINGS FROM SAUSAGES AND THE LIKE Original Filed June 15, 1950 I3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TORS Demo/"e5 Dan/kl Doug/a; Rope '2 Mer/j/ff Perk/n5, I/V/II/am Karma and Carl Bere'ha/f 5y m, M, W

A T TORNEKS March 23, 1954 DEMAREST ETAL 2,672,649

METHOD FOR REMOVING CASINGS FROM SAUSAGES AND THE LIKE Original Filed June 15, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 3 JNVENTORS Dame/ Douq/as Demqrest Robert Herr rt Perk/n5, Will/am frank/s and Carl Berendf arm ,m,

March 23, 1954 D. D. DEMAREST ETAL 2,672,649

METHOD FOR REMOVING CASINGS FROM SAUSAGES AND THE LIKE Original Filed June 15, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 1954 D. D. DEMAREST ETAL 2,672.349

METHOD FOR REMOVING CASINGS FROM SAUSAGES AND THE LIKE Original Filed June 15 1950 13 sheets sh'et 5 6) 7710124, ,OM r/ W7 I ATTORNEYS March 23, 19 v 0. n. DEM'AREST ETAL METHOD FOR REMOVING CASINGS FROM SAUSAGES AND THE LIKE 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed June 15, 1950 llllllllt MNN INVENTORS Daniel mug/as Dana/e521 March 1954 D. D. DEMAREST ETAL 5 METHOD FOR REMOVING CASINGS FROM SAUSAGES AND THE LIKE 13 Sheets-Sheet 7 Original Filed June 15, 1950 A T TORNEKS March 23, 1954 D. D. PEMAREST ETAL 12, 649

METHOD FOR REMOVING CASINGS FROM SAUSAGES AND THE LIKE Original Filed June 15, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTORS Dame/ Dow/0.; Demure Rope "r Ner /r Perk/r15, W/Z/zgn Had/#15 an Car ere/1 By M, M,

A T TOR/V575 March 23, 1954 D. D. DEMAREST ETAL 2,672,64

METHOD FOR REMOVING CASINGS FROM SAUSAGES AND THE LIKE Original Filed June 15, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTORJ Dame/ Doug/a; Demacesf, Rake Merr/(r Per/r/ns, W/mam lfarlus 017d Carl ere/1dr M 2,45 6mm v fluy ATTORNEY March 23, 1954 D. D. DEMAREST ETAL 2,672,649

METHOD FOR REMOVING CASINGS FROM. SAUSAGES AND THE LIKE Original Filed June 15, 1950 1; Sheets-15119010 10 fiq Z0 Roper) Merri Perk/21s, W/II/am Ira/"la: and Car/ Berendr arm, mp @7 ATTORNEYS D. D. DEMAREST EI'AL March 23, 1954 METHOD FOR REMOVING CASINGS FROM SAUSAGES THE LIKE 1s sheets-sheet -11 Original Filed June 15, 1950 March 23, 1954 D. o. DEMAREST ErAL -2,6

METHOD FOR REMOVING CASINGS FROM SAUSAGES ANDIHE LIKE 1s Siieets-Sheet 12 March 23, 1954 D. D. DEMAREST ETA]; 2,672,649

SAUSAGES AND THE LIKE METHOD FOR REMOVING CASINGS FROM Original Filed June 15 1950 13 She e'ts' -Sheet 13 ATTOR/VfKS UNITED STATES PATENT OF FlCE 1 METHOD'FOB; REMOVING CASINGS FROM SAUSAGES AND THE LIK E j I I Daniel Douglas Demarest, Por,t Washington, N. I

. [and Robert Merritt Perkins, Upper 'Montclair, William Ka'riu's, Union,' and' Carl Berendt, Millburn; N. J.,' assignors toLinker Machines, Inc., f

lse'wark J., a'corpora'tioii of New York originalapplication June;.15, .1950, Serial No.

,168,324. Divided and thisapplication J une12., l 1953, Serial N0. 370,898

F i Qlaims.

1 The present invention relatesl'to" th at; iremoving the casings or skins from such 'fo dproducts as sausages, frankfurters and the like;

skinless food products such asjirankiurters are produced by firstfilling a casing orskin of cellophane or other 'cellulosic or synthetic substances with minced meat or other minc'edfoods,

' pinching or constricting the casingat spaced ink tervals to form the usual links'or sections s'parated by ligatures or ties, cookingsmoking or processing these links while so encased and finally removing the casings. If the casing is removed manually, the operation is tedious, time consuming, costly and unsanitary. ijlyiachines have been 'proposedf'or this purpQSe, butthese usually involve such operations as slitting the casing longitudinally or handling the food in such a way as tocut or'otherwise mar the stuffing itself. I Moreover, if these machines are provided with devices'for severing the ligatures between the links, these 'are operated atpredetermined preset intervals depending foraccuracy of operation on, the uniformity 'in the lengthof these links. If the. length of the linksis varied, .th e severing devicemust'be manually reset to. adapt itself to the new link length.

One object of the present inventionis to provide a new and improved method oistripping a casing ofi a minced food product, suchas a string of sausages or frankfurters, automatically, quick 1y, cleanly and without marringthe productitself. In carrying out certain; method features ofthe present invention, the casing 'isremoved from the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a sausage skinning machine'embodying the present invention and sausage skinning machine:

stufiing by holding a tab section of: thecasing at.

r the end'of each link, and rotating the link with" respect tosaid tab to. cause said -casi ng to, be torn .and peeled off the stufiing cleanly and in 'a helical strip.

, above referred tobeyond the slit sectiongof the casing.

As a further. method is showing'the top cover outlined in dot and dash .lines;

Fig. 1a is a detail section of the machine taken on lines lwla of Fig. 1, but showing the top cover in section;

Fig. 1b is a detail section of the machine taken on lines lb-lb of Fig.1, but showing the top "cover in section;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation .of the Fig. 3 is a section of the machine taken approximately along the lines 33 of Fig. 2 andshowing the machine at the instant the ligature between adjoining sausages has reached the feeler device controlling the operations of the ligature holding and severing devices and thedevice for partially slitting theskin transversely near the end of 'thesausage;

Fig. 4 is a section of the machine taken approximately along the lines 44 of Fig. 2; 25

approximately along the lines S- 5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a. detail section" of the machine. taken Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail section of the machine taken approximately along the lines 6-45 OfFig. 1i f Fig, '7 is a detail section of the machine taken approximately alongthe lines .1 ,1 of Fig. 2; Fig. 8 is an enlarged's'ection of the machine taken approximately along the lines 8-8 of Fig. 2 and shows the machine at the instant the ligature has reached the feelerdevice, but before the ligature severing knife has started to operate; I,

Fig. 9 is a detail section of the machine taken approximately along the lines 9-9 of Fig. 8, but shows th'e one-revolution clutch locking mechanism in released position toiniti'ate the rotation of the clutch at the instant the ligature has reached the ieeler device, and also the movement Because thebe st means presently known, of

carrying out the method consists of certain novel mechanism, the'invention is illustrated; and described herein by reference to, and-in connection with, 'such' mechanism. No claim is made herein to the mechanism, the mechanism being claimed; in Serial No. 168,324,. filed June. 15, i950, for .Apparatus for Removing Casings from Sausa'gesand the Like, of which the present application is a division.

. o objects. ti e a attest;the.

invention are apparent from the following parof the feeler device with the advancing sausage and the operations of the ligature clamping device,- the ligature severing device and. the skin slitting device controlled by said feeler device;

Fig. 10 is a detail section of the clutch locking mechanism similar 'to that shown in Fig. 9,

, ingposition; H Fig; .11 is a section of the but indicating said mechanism in clutch. lock- H machine similar to that shown in Fig. 8, but indicating. the knife .gill position after severing. the ligature between adjacent sausages;

Fig. 12 is an enlargement of the inactive ligature severing device shown in Fig. 8 and taken along the lines l2-l 2 of 13;

Fig. 13 is ,1 a top, plan view of the ligature severing device;

Fig. 14 is a section of the ligature severing device taken along the lines M-Il of Fig. 12;

Fi 1 is a en a ed estion0 whet-m chin taken approximately along the lines 1.51 15 .92 Fig. 2 and showing the ligature clamping device shifted in position tostripjthe' end section of the ligature beyondthetransversenslit and to form thereby a tab bywhichthe entiresausage skin may be subsequently peeled off the sausage;

Fig. 16 is a detail section;of-theligature clamping and skin slitting devices taken'apprqxi nately along the line lS-IG of Fig. 15;

Fig 17 is a top plan view of the ligature claniping and severing devices shown in Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 isa section of the machine similar to that of Fig. 15,.but showing the feeler device at the instant it has beenreleased to permit the next sausage link to Tpass therethrough after completion of the ligature severing and tab forming operations;

Fig. 19 is a detail section of the latch-device controlling the release of the feeler device and shown at the instant said latchdevice is tripped to release said .feeler device;

Fig. 20 is a top plan view ofthe .feeler device with associated ligature clamping and severing devices and tab forming device;

Fig. 21 is a top plan view of a bell crankfcrming part of the feelerdevice;

Fig. 22 is an axial sectionthrough the onerevolution clutch for operating the feeler device Fig. 23 is a section of the one-revolution clutch taken alongthe lines 23-23 of Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is the top plan view of thetop slide bar for operating the ligature severing knife;

,Fig. 25 is aface viewof theslide bar shown in Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is atopplan viewvof the upper feeler and ligature clamping. bar;

Fig. 27 isa face viewof theupper feeler and ligature clamping bar;

Fig. 28 is an end view of the upper .feeler. and

ligature clamping. bar;

ligature clamping bar taken along the: lines 33- 3 3 of Fig. 31;

Fig. '34 is a top plan view of the suction .skin stripping device;

Fig. '35 is a transverse section of-the suction skin stripping device taken along the lines 3535 of Fig. 34;

:Fig. 36 is a section-of the suction skin stripping device taken along the lines 36-36 of Fig. 34;

Fig. 37 is an enlarged section -of the suction skin stripping device taken along the lines- 31- .3'! of Fig. '34;

:Fig. v38 is .a: side view of the sausage link,'-'-the vice shown at the instant the ligature between s adjoining sausage links has reached the feeler -.:d viqe:

Fig. 41 isna transverse section of the feeler dev,vicegshov ngat the instant the knife has been .rnovedintq nosition to produce a partial trans- ,verse slit-.injthe sausage skin near the end of the sausagelink and Fig. 42 is a top plan view of a sausage link --sh owingthe-transverse slit in the skin near the end of saidsausage.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION frankfurters Ill {(Figil) eomprisinng a boiled or otherwisecocked minced meat ll (Fig.3). stuffed in a tubular skin or. casing-i2 ofcellophane or any other suitable material which. must be removejdbetore this meatis consumed. The meat casing 12 (Figs. 1," 39- 4;2) is,pinched at spaced se'ctionsto formligatures or ties i3between franku c en k .o section "The string of frankfurters illis moved continuously end'wise along an entry trough or channel 14 (Figs. 1 and .2) by'a first feeddevice l5 into ,th effield of actionof a feeler device l6. This feeler device it senses the arrival of a ligature l3 at a predeterminedstation andserves also as a ligature clamping device (Figs. 16, 39.40 and 41). "'Ihe'jeeler'dev'lce It also serves tojnitiate and control the operation of a ligature severing :device 11 (Figs. lit-1 4) 'a skin slitting device "l8 (Figs. 1 5 ,'1 6,*39. 40 and '41) and a tabforming device 20 (Figs. 15 and l'llcarriedby said feeler device.

after-theyfrankfurters '10 have been severed anda skin tab Ii (Fig; 17)- formed at the advanced end of each frankfurter'in the -manner to *bedescribed. these frankfurters are moved endwiseby a second feeddevicefl (Fig. 1) and --then along a-way' ilby a, third 'feed device 24 (Figs; 1 andmfintothe held of operation of a suction skin stripping device 25 (Figs. 1,-34-38). -At-the sametim e,*the frankfurters are advanced into-the-field-of'cperaticnof the skin stripping device-25,- they are rotated by this third feed device 24, to cause thecasing 12 to beneatly torn and peeled oil the 'frankfur'ter as a helical strip. as shown-in Fig. 38.

The 'niachine -more specifically cornprises an elevated platform or-bed plate (Figs. L 2 and 3) supported on frame pieces 3! and serving tosupport a'bove-itthegtrough or channel i4. the feeler device: It. the-,ligature severing device l1, the skin slittingdevice (B. the tab forming device 20, -the feed devices 115,22 and-24 and theskin stripping device, 25.

"Below thebedplate is the driveand-also the power transmission from this I drive to these difierenti devices. The Power ,comesfrom an electric motor (not shown) or other suitable source and drives ap lley 33 (Figs. 2, 4 and .on a main :sk veehatvfl thmceh abeitsss. Quinn shaft 34 is a sprocket wheel 36 which drives at a reduced speed a larger sprocket whee1 31 on a countershaft 38 through a chain 48. This countershaft 38 serves to drive the three feed devices I5, 22 and 24.

THE FIRST FEED DEVICE l The first feed device I5 serves to move the string'of frankfurters along the entry trough I4 towards the field of operation of the feeler device I6 and comprises a pair of feed rollers 45 and 48 (Figs. 1, 2 and 7) disposed on opposite sides of a frankfurter in feed engagement therewith. These feed rollers 45 and 46 are constructed and mounted to impart to the frankfurter engaged thereby not only endwise-movement towards the feeler device I6, but also a partial rotary movement to render the advanced clamped end section of the skin or casing on said frankfurterstaut for transverse slitting, as will be more fully described. To that end; the feed rollers 45 and 46 are secured to the upperends of respective shafts 4'! and 48 (Figs. 1, 2, 4 and '7) inclined in opposite directions with respect to the vertical and are peripherally grooved for conforming feed engagement with the frankfurters. The shaft 41 is journalled in a fixed bearing 58 fastened to the underside of the bed plate 38 and has secured to its lower end a worm gear 5| meshing with one side of a worm 52 on the countershaft 38. The other shaft 48 is journalled in a floating bearing 53 secured to a collar 54 (Fig. 2) supported for free rotary movement on the countershaft 38 and has secured to its lower end a worm gear 56 (Fig. 7) meshing with a worm 56a on shaft 38. The feed roller 46 is pressed against the frankfurter I 8 and the frankfurter in turn is pressed against the other feed roller 45 by a spring 5'! (Figs. 2 and 7) secured at one end to an arm 58 rigid with the bearing 53 and anchored at its other end to the underside of the bed plate 38. This spring 51 yieldably urges the entire unit 46, 48 and 53 clockwise (Fig. 7) about the countershaft 38.

THE SECOND FEED DEVICE 22 After the advanced end of a frankfurter I8 has been operated upon by the different mechanisms carried by the feeler device I6 as will be more fully described, ths frankfurter is picked up by the second feed device 22 and advanced towards the third feed device 24. This second feed device 22 comprises a pair of cylindrical feed rollers 65 and 66 (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) disposed on opposite sides of the frankfurter in feed en'- gagement therewith and secured to the upper ends of respective vertical shafts 61 and 68. The shaft 61 is journalled in a fixed bearing I8 fastened to and depending from the bed plate 38 and has secured to its lower end a worm wheel H meshing with one side of a worm I2 on the countershaft 38. The other shaft 68 is journalled in a floating bearing I4 including two arms 14a, each arm having a hub I5 supported for free rotary movement on the countershaft 38 and has secured to its lower end a worm gear I6 meshing with the other side of the worm I2. The feed roller 66 is pressed against the frankfurter I8 and the frankfurter in turn is pressed against the other feed roller 65 by a spring 88 secured at one end to an arm 6| rigid with the bearing 14 and anchored at its other end to the underside of the bedplate 38. This spring 88 yieldably urges the entire unit 66, 68 and 74 clockwise (Figs. 3 and 5) about the countershaft 38. l

6 THE THIRD DEVICE 24 The third feed device 24 picks up the frankfurter which has been severed from the rest of the string and advances it along the way 23 at a speed greater than the speed of advancement of said string to effect its wider separation from said string. This feed device 24 also advances the severed frankfurter into the field of operation of the skin stripping device 25 (Figs. 1,' 34-38), where the skin tab 2| (Fig. 1'7) formed at the advanced end of the severed frankfurter is suctionally taken hold of and at the same time said frankfurter is rotated to cause the skin or casing I2 thereon to be torn and stripped 01f as a helical strip, as shown in Fig. 38.

The feed device 24 comprises a set of parallel lower feed rollers 98 (Figs. 1,5 and 6-) on which the severed frankfurters I8 are adapted to rest as they advance along the guideway 23. Thisguideway 23 comprises guide plates and 86 supported, respectively, by brackets 81 and 88. The guideway 23 is open at the bottom to permit the frankfurters to rest on the feed rollers 98. Each of these feed rollers 98 is s'ecured'to a shaft 9| journalled in a bearing 92 mounted on bed plate 38 and is inclined with respect to the course of the way 23, to cause the frankfurter to move endwise along said way and at the same time to rotate about its longitudinal axis.

For driving the lower feed rollers 98, each of the roller shafts 9| carries a bevel gear 88 meshing with a corresponding bevel gear 93 on a shaft 94. This shaft 94 is journalled in bearings 95 mounted on the bed plate 38 and carries a sprocket wheel 96 (Figs. 4 and 5) driven from the countershaft 38 through a transmission comprising a gear 91 on said countershaft meshing with a pinion 98 on ashaft I 88 carrying a sprocket wheel I8I driving the sprocket wheel 96 through a chain I82.

The feed device 24 also comprises a set of parallel upper feed rollers II8 (Figs. 1, 1a, 5 and 6) resting on the frankfurters I8 as they advance along the way 23. Each of these feed rollers H8 is secured to a shaft III journalled in a bearing I I 2 fastened to the underside of a cover plate I I3 and is inclined with respect to the course of the way 23 to cooperate with the lower feed rollers 98 in moving the frankfurters I8 endwise along said way and at the same time in rotating them about their longitudinal axis. This cover plate 3 is secured on one side to a pair of blocks 4 (Figs. 1, 1b and 2) supported on shaft II5, so that this plate is hinged about said shaft.

The shaft H5 is journalled in bearings H6 (Figs. 1 and 2) secured to the bed plate 38 and carries a series of bevel gears II'I (Figs. 1, 5 and 6) in mesh with bevel gear II8 respectively on the roller shafts I I I respectively to drive the feed rollers H8. A sprocket wheel I28 (Figs. 1, 2, 4

and 5) on this shaft I I5 is driven from the countershaft 38 through a transmission comprising the gear 81 on said countershaft meshing with a pinion I2I on a shaft I22 carrying a sprocket wheel I23 driving the sprocket wheel I28 through a chain I24.

The cover plate II3 being freely hinged on the shaft II5, the upper feed rollers H8 carried by said plate rest on the frankfurters and thereby serve to maintain-these frankfurters in proper feed engagement with said rollers and the lower feed rollers 98. The two feed devices I5 and 22 are adapted to operate effectively regardless of .the length and diameter of the sausages being skinned andthe fioatingymounting for the upper saucers 23, there is provided a block I30 (Figs. 1 and lb) fastened to the bed plate'30 and serving as a stop for a hand screw I3I threaded into said cover plate.

After the frankfurters are advanced along the way 23 by the feed device 24 and after they have 'been successively skinned by the device'25, they are delivered on to a discharge channel or trough I32. for packaging or other dispensation.

FEELER. DEVICE I 6 The feeler device I6 (Figs. 3 8, 11, 15, 16, 18, 20, 26-33, and 39-41) comprisesa lower bar I50 witha hub. keyed to the upper end of an upright shaft ISI for angular oscillatorymovement about the axis of said shaft. This feeler bar I50 is supported ona bearing plate I49 between the base of said bar and the bed plat 30 and has a wide base I52 and a rib I53 serving as a rest for the frankfurters as they are moved through the sensing field of the feeler device.

Supported on the lower feeler bar I50 is an upper feeler bar I54 having a forked end section I55 pivotally secured to one end of said lower feeler bar by ,a pivot pin I56. This upper feeler bar I54 oscillates angularly with the lower feeler bar I50 about the axis of the shaft II, but is free to swing edgewise up and down about the axis of the pivot pin I56.

During normal operating periods, the feeler bars I50 and I54 are in the angular position shown in Fig. 1 and in Fig. 20 in full lines. While in this angular position of the feeler bars I50 and I54, the upper bar'l54is in raised inclined position and the advanced frankfurter of the string of frankfurters is moving over the upper edge of the rib I53 with th inclined raised upper bar I54 resting on this advanced frankfurter, as shown in Fig. 39. As soon as the-ligature I3 on the trailing end of this advanced frankfurter reaches the feeler bars I50 and I 54, the raised upper feeler bar I54 drops by'gravity on to said ligature and clamps it between said bars as shown in Figs. 3 and 40. This sensing action of the upper feeler bar I54 on the ligature I3 initiates the operation of the ligature severing device I1, the skin slitting device I8 and the tab forming devic 20 carried by the feeler device I6.

While these devices are operating, the feeler bars I50 and I54 clampingly hold the ligature I3 therebetween and-at the same tim move angularly in a horizontal plane about the axis ofthe shaft I5I from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 20 to the position shown in dot and dash lines, so that the frankfurters continue their movement. After the operations of these devices have been completed, the feeler device is angularly returned about theaxis of the shaft I5I back into the position shown in full lines in Fig.20.

To facilitate the angular movement of the feeler device I6 described, the lower feeler bar I50 carries at its outer end a wheel I51 adapted to ride over the bed plate 30. To elfect the angu- This shaft I5I is rocked through-the operation of adrum cam I6I (Figs. 2,3 and 4) controlled ;-by.;thesensing action of --the feeler device I6.

Thlscam- I6I ismounted on a cam shaft I62 constitut-ingthe output or driven shaft of a one- -revolution clutch I63 having an input or drive shaft I64 to which a gear I65 is secured. This gear I65 meshes with a gear I66 on the countershaft 38, so that the input shaft I64 of the onerevolution clutch I63 is driven continuously while the rotation of the drum cam I6I is initiatedupon the ligature sensing action of the feeler device I6 and is continued for a single revolution. A follower arm I61 is secured at one end to-the lower end of the shaft I5I and at its other rend carries a follower roller I68 extending in the cam groove I69 of the drum cam I6I, so

that as this cam rotates, the arm I61 is oscillated and the feeler device I6 is swung about the axis of the shaft I5I through one complete cycle before coming to rest.

The one revolution clutch I63 is shown in Figs.

22 and 23 of the Hilliard type and comprises a drum I10 having a hub "I which embraces the output cam shaft I62 with a free rotative fit and which is keyed to'the gear I65, Keyed to this shaft I62 inside the drum I10 is a sleeve I12, Extending into the space between the peripheral .wall of the drum I16 and the sleeve I12 is a cage I13 integral or otherwise rigid with a disc I14 .mounted for free rotation on the shaft I62. Be-

unison.

The lock disc I14 is normally held against rotation by a pawl I8I (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) engaging a tooth I62 on said lock disc. This pawl I8I is operated and controlled from the feeler device I6 through a control rod I83 which extends with a slide fit through a guide sleeve I84 fastened to the lower face of the bed plate 30 and through a block or bracket I85 secured to the upper face of this bed plate, and which is urged axially downwardly through a coil spring I86. The axial movement of the control rod 83 is transmitted to the pawl IBI, and for that purpose, this pawl constitutes one arm of a bell crank I81 mounted loosely on a shaft I90, the other arm I9I of said bell crank being connected to the lower end of the control rod I63 by being threaded into a block ISIa. Th block I9Ia has a shaft section I9Ib pivotally supported in the free end I9Icof arm I9I. A collar I9Id is secured to the shaft section I9Ib to hold the block IQIa on the arm I9I. The lower end of the rod I83 extends through the block I9Ia and has threaded thereon a lock nut I9Ie. The spring I66 is confined between the guide sleeve I84 and the connecting block I 9 la.

During normal operations, i. e., when no ligature feeler impulse is active, the control rod I83 is locked in its uppermost position by means to be described, against the action of the spring 186 and the pawl I8I is in engagement with the tooth I62 on the lock disc I14 and locks thereby said disc against rotation. The clutch rollers I16 will be loose in the space between the drum I16 and the sleeve I12 and the drum will, therefore,

out of engagement with the tooth- I82'on the lock tinues for one revolution. In the meantime, the

pawl I8I moves into position by means to be described to engage the tooth I82 on the lock disc I14 when the disc has made one revolution and to hold said disc and in turn the shaft I62 against rotation, until the next feeler impulse from the feeler device I6 is received.

For moving the pawl I8I into position to engage the tooth I82 on the lock disc I'I4 when the disc has made one revolution, there is keyed to the shaft I62 a face cam I92 (Figs. 2,3 and 4) having a cam groove I93 for a. follower roller I94 mounted on one end of a-follower arm I95, the other end of which is secured to the shaft I99. A dog. I96 fastened to this shaft I99 has a catch or claw I91 underneath the bell crank arm I9I adapted to engage said arm and to start raising the lowered control rod I83, by the operation of the cam I92 on the shaft I99,-soon after the clutch I63 is'released.

For releasably locking the control rod I83 in raised position against the action of the spring I86, there is provided at latch device 299 (Figs. 3, 8, 9, 19, 15, 18 and 20) comprising a rockshaft 29I journalled in the block I85 and having a hemicylindrical latch section 292 adapted to rock into and out of rod locking position in a recess 293 on one side of the control rod I83. For rocking the latch shaft 29I, there is secured to one end of said shaft a lever 294 in the form of a plate urged in raised inclined position shown in Fig. by a counterweight 295 secured thereto or by a spring if desired. In this raised position of the lever 294, the latch section 292 of the rock-shaft 29I is. in the recess 293 of the raised control rod I83 and is in rotative position to lock said rod against the action of the spring I86 urging said rod downward. v

To turn the rock shaft 29I in position to release the control rod I83 for downward movement, the end of the upper feeler bar I54 has connected thereto a block 2I9 (Figs. 8, 9, 20, 27 and 28) carrying an upright thumb screw 2II threaded therein and disposed directly above the lever plate 294. While this upper feeler bar I54 is in raised position (i. e., before the ligature has been sensed), the leverplate 294 is in raised,

position shown in Fig. 19, and the latch section 292 of the rock-shaft 29I connected to said lever plate is locking the control rod I83 in raised posiiton shown. As soon as a ligature reaches the upper feeler bar I54, this bar drops, and at the same time the screw 2| I engages the lever plate 294 and depresses it into the horizontal position shown in Fig. 9 against the action of the counterweight 295. This rotates the latch section 292 of the rock-shaft 29I into-position to release the control rod I83, and permits it to move downward by the action of the spring I86. This releases the pawl IBI from engagewith the lock disc I 14 and permits the clutch I63 to rotate the cam shaft I62. clockwise (Fig. 3) for one revolution as described. This-in turn swings the feeler device I6 angularly about the axis of the upright shaft I5I through one cycle,

As the camshaft I62 rotates clockwise (Fig. s 3) for the first half. revolution, the cam I92 rotates the shaft I99 clockwise and causes there- I 10, by the .dog I96 on said latter shaft to raise the control rod I83 and the paw1-I8I to move inwardly into disc locking position. At the'same time, the feeler device I6 is swung about the axis of the shaft I5I and in a horizontal plane through the operation of the drum cam I6 I, from the extreme position shown in .full lines in Figs. and dash l and 20 .to the position shown in dot lines in Fig. 20.

' As the cam shaft I62 continues the second half of its clockwise revolution (Fig. 3), the cam I92. rotates the'shaft I99 counterclockwise and causes the dog I96 to be lowered. Since .the control rod I83 has been raised by the previous operation during the firsthalf of the revolution of thecam shaft I62, and since said control rod is locked in said raised positionby the latch device 299 previously described, this lowering of the dog I96 has no effect on said control rod except to place said dog in position to permit lowering of the bell crank I9I when said control rod is released to move the pawl :I8I for clutch release.

The clockwise rotation of the shaft I99 during axis of the shaft I5I and in a horizontal plane back into the position shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 20.

As the feeler device I6-moves clamped to the ligature angularly from the position shown'in full lines in Figs. 1 and 20 to the positionshown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 20, the ligature severing devicell, the skin slitting device I8 and the tab forming device 29 carried'by said feeler device are operating and complete their-opera-. tions by the time the fe'elerdevice reachesthe angular position shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 20. At that instant, the-upper feeler bar I54 is released to swing upward about the axis of the pivot pin I56 by theactionwof a spring229-(Fig. 18) acting on said feeler bar in a manner to be hereinafter described. The raising of the upper feeler bar I54 permits the advanced frankfurter of the s'tring'to pass between the two feelerbars I59 and I54 with this frankfurter resting on the lower feeler bar I59 and the upperfeeler bar I 54 resting on the frankfurter, 'while the feeler,- device I6 as a whole is returning to the position I about theshown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 20 axis of the upright shaft I5I. I

To hold the upper feeler bar I54'down in ligature clamping position while the feelerdevice' I6 as a whole ismoving from the angular position shown in full lines in Fig, 20to the angular position shown in dot and dash lines, there isprovided above the bed plate 39 a holding plate 22I,

(Figs. 2, 3, 8, 9, 15, 18, 19 andf20) pivotally mounted on bearings 222 by means of a pivot" shaft 223. This holding plate 22I is. urged counterclockwise (Figs. 8 and 18) into open positionabout the axis of the pivot shaft 223 by means of a spring 224. A latch 225 pivotallysupported at 226 on-a bracket 22? is pressed-by a spring 228 into engagement with the endof the holding plate 1 22I and restrains said platein downward position shown in-Figs. 8;. 9 and 15. In this-downward position of the holding plate. 22 I,- the upper'feeler bar I54 is held='down by said plate through the agency. of a3 T011621 30; rotatablycarried; by the:

block 2iIl:atthe endof saidxbarandadapted to ride underneath said .holding plate in this downward position. The latch 225' is in the path of travel of v theroller 2361asthe feeler-device I6 is swung:,angularly about the axis of theupright shaft I 5I from the positionshownin full lines in Figs. 1 and 20 tothe-position shown-in dot and dash lines in Fig. 20. As the feeler device II5-v reaches; this extreme latter. position, the 'roller 236 carried-by the upper 'feelerbar, I54 engages the latch 22522.1!(1 moves; itrabout the pivot axisv of the spring. 22min a manner to be hereinafter described; At thatinstant, the leverplate264=is raised into the angularposition shown inFig.

by-the action of the counterweight 205, and thelatchsection 262 of the rock-shaft 211i is rotated in position to lock theraised control red. I 83.

While the feelerdevice I6 as a whole is returning: towards the position shown infull lines in Figs. 1 and 20, the upperfeeler bar I54 moves from the full line-positioniin Fig. 18.to.the position shown in dot andtdash lineswhen it'rests on the-advanced frankfurter. Whenithe. feeler device I6 reaches thisposition, it'stays there, as shown in Fig. 39; until the: next ligature reaches thefeelerdevice; At that instant, the upper feeler bar I54 dropsas shown inFigs. 3' and 40 and causes the ligature to be clamped between the two "feeler 6 bars I56'and I54; the spring 2 2 6:

having been released; as in Fig. 3, thus-permitting the-bar'I54ito drop freely.- Atthe same time. the

control rod I83 isreleased-by the engagement of the screw 2'II- on-the lever'plate 264iand'this' causes the control rod to snap downward .under the action of the spring I 86;

As thecontrol rod- I86 moves downward, it

brings the raised holding plate 22I downward into locked engagementiwithlthelatch 225 (Fig; 9)..

To that end; the upper: endof the: control rod 1 88 carries rollers-=235 (Figs. 8; 9:15; 18 'andi20) on a head 23511:, adapted-to ride along crank arms .236" rigid with-the-hub-of the-holding plate 22.] as said control rod moves downward and to cause therebysaid plateto move downward into-holding position shown in Figs. S andQ. While the rollers 235 are acting on the crank arms-236, rollers235a;

clamped .iirmlv'between. the two feeler bars I 56 and. I54. The bevelling at the. end238 of the holding plate-221 frees the roller 230 against the pressure action of the holding plate 22I in extreme position of the feeler device I6 shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 20 and serves to cam the roller-downward as this rollermoves alongsaid plate.

Asthe upper feeler bar I54 is released from restrained engagement with the holding plate 22 I,

it swings .edgewise about the axis of the pivot support I56 by-the actioncf thespring 226, as shown'in Fig. 18 and as already described, the spring 220 having previously been loaded in a manner: hereinafter described. To absorb the shock of this instantaneous movement of the feeler bar I54,.to limit .the'extent of this swingalso s supported by the head: 2353:; engagera post" 235b'on the bracket 185'. This prevents binding:

of the bar I83in bearing I 84;

The end 236a. (Fig. 9) 1 of the holding plate 22I nearest the latch 225fis bevelled and the upper end 281' of the latch is correspondingly bevelled to cause 'said'latchto'be cammedoutwardly in position to permit said plate to drop in holding. position. In "this position; the latch 225 snaps-into 1 locking engagement with the plate 22 I While the: holding plate- 221 is its released'position' (Fig.- 18), the pawl 225:is 'arrested'against a'stop' 23Gb (Fig. 9).

The-otherend'238of the holding plate 22'I is also bevelled and the lower surface 240 of said plate is 'lowenoughin dropped position .of said plate to cause said surface 1 to press downwardly upon the roller 236 carried by the upper feeler bar I54 as the feeler devices I6 :moves from the position shown in full lines in- Figs. 1' and 20 towards the position shown in :dotand "dash lines in Fig. 20;andt'o cause thereby the-ligature tube.

videda bumper device 245 (Figs. 2, 8, 18, 31and 32) comprising a pair of upright parallel bars 246 secured to the outer-end'of the lower feeler bar i56'and spacedifromeach other to. define a guide space 249 therebetween. At the upper end of these bars 246 'is a bumper sleeve 241 comprising'a'pair'of metal plates248 connected together by a block 250 of material such as leather. This bumper sleeve 241 is slidable along a pair of rods 25I secured to the upper endsof the bars 246 and is yieldably held downward against the upper shoulder ends of these bars by coil springs 252 bearing against washers and nuts 253 on said rods.-:

The upper feeler bar. I54passes through the guidespace 249 between the bars 246 and slides therealong as it swings about its pivot support I56. A knife actuating bar 255 to be subsequently described rests on the upper feeler bar I54 and moves with this upper feeler bar when it swings upwardly. This knife actuating bar 255 strikes the bumper sleeve 241'absorbing the shock and limiting swinging movement.

THE LIGATURE SEVER-ING DEVICE I1 The ligature severing device I1 comprises a rotary knife 266 (Figs. 8 and 11-14) carried by the upper feeler bar I54 and operated by the bar 255 in the manner to be described. This knife 266 is in the form of a long blade having a bevelled ligature cutting edge 26I at one end and retained in holder 262 supported for rotary oscillatory movement in a bearing 263 fastened to the pper feeler bar I54 by screws 264. A shaft 259 secured to the holder 262 is journalled in the bearing 253;

The holder 262 has a recess. 265 for receiving the knife 260 and has a pin 266 in said recess with a head adapted to pass freely through a circularopening 261 in said knife in the process of assembly and with a shank adapted to be retained in a neck extension 268 of said opening in assembled position. A pin 269 secured to the holder 262 in its recess 265 passes through a corresponding hole in the knife 2'56.

The bearing 263 is in the form of a block having a recess 21I with the ends flaring to form bevelled limiting shoulders 212, 213, 214 and 215 and a constricted circular bearing section 216. The knife holder 262 has a circular section 211 journalled in'said bearing section and straight aligned end sections defining straight edges 28! and 282 adapted to engage limiting recess shoulders 212 and 218 respectively, in inoperative rctative position of'the knife'266', as shown in Fig. 12 and defining: straight: edges 283 and; 284'- adapted toengage limiting recess-shoulders 2'l4and 215, respectively, in extreme operative position of said knife.

The bearing 263 supports the knife holder 262 against the face of the upper feeler bar I54 and against the face of the knife actuating bar 255 so that said holder i retained between said bar faces and said bearing, but is permitted to rock ,gular movement therewith about the axis of thepivot support I56 and is guided for longitudinal movement therealong by means of a guide 290 (Figs. 11, 26, 27, 28 and 29) comprising an upward block extension 29I on said feeler bar at the base or inner end of its forked section I55 provided with as lot 292 which slidably receives said bar 255 and which is closed at its upper end by a plate 293 fastened to said extension by screws 294. Integral or otherwise rigid with the upper feeler bar I54 near its outer end section is a second guide clamp 295 for the bar 255.

A post 296a secured to one end of the lower feeler bar I 50 serves as an anchor for one end of the spring 220, the other end being secured to the upper edge of the knife actuating bar 255. This spring 220 comprises a series of spring units hooked together to permit it to become easily slackened during certain phases of operation to be described and serves to snap the bars I54 and 255 into open position about the axis of the pivot support I56, when the feeler device I6 has been released in the position shown in' dot and dash lines in Fig. 20. The bar 255 passes through the space between the guide bars 246 and is acted upon by the bumper 245 when the bars I54'and 255 are snapped as a unit into open position.

The bar 255'carri'es an arm 296 (Figs. 11-14) pivoted thereto at 291 and having a notch 298 v receiving a pin 300 secured to the knife holder 252. This arm 295 is urged counterclockwise (Fig. 12) into catch engagement with the pin 300 by a spring clip 30I anchored at one end to said 302 on said arm.

When the knife actuating bar 255 is moved endwise along the upper feeler bar I55 towards the left (Fig. 12) after the ligature has been clamped between the ligature feelersbars I and I54, the arm 296 is moved therewith in the same direction, and this causes the knife holder 252v to be rotated counterclockwise about the axisofits bearing support into the position shown in- 1 Fig. 11. This results in the knife 250 moving into position to cut the clamped ligature. At this point, the pin 286a engages the arm 296 and continued motion of bar 255. causes said arm to turn clockwise lifting the notch 298.0ut of engagement with the pin 300 permitting spring 286 arm 296 then 'reengages thepin 300, as shown inw Fig. 12-.

For moving/the bar 255 endwise along the upper feeler bar-I55, there is provided a bell crank 305 (Figs. 11 and 21) extending in a recess 306in the lower feeler bar I50 and pivotally supported thereinby a pin 308. One arm 3I0 of this bell crank 305 has a cleft pin and slot connection 3II with the upper end of an upright rod 3I2, the upright shaft I 5I controlling the angular movement of the feeler device I 6 in a horizontal plane being hollow, and said rod 3I2 being retained and guided therein for endwise movement. The other arm 3I3 of the bell crank 305 passes through the gap betweenthe legs of the forked end section I of the upper feeler bar I54 and is connected to one end of the knife actuating bar 255 by a link 3I5 pivotally connected at its ends.

The rod 3I2 for controlling the endwise movement of the knife actuating bar 255 is actuated from the face cam I92 (Fig. 3) throughthe shaft I90. To that end, there is keyed or otherwise secured to this shaft I90 rocked by the face cam I92 a crank arm 3I6 having a cleft pivotal connection 3I'I with the lower end of the rod 3I2.

As the cam shaft. I62 starts to rotate after receiving a ligature feeler impulse and after the one-revolution clutch I63 has been released as a result of said impulse, the rod 3| 2 starts to be moved downward by the action of the shaft I90 rocked. from the face cam I92, and this causes the knife actuating bar 255 to be moved endwise towards the left (Figs. 8 and 12) from the in-,- active position shownin Figs. Band 12 through the bell crank and link connections 3I3 and 3I5 to the ligature cutting position shown in Fig. l1.

SKIN SLITTING DEVICE l8 After the ligature between the advanced frankfurter and the next frankfurter of the string has been clamped between the feeler bars I50 and I54 and while the feeler device I6 is moving in a horizontal plane about the axis of the upright shaft I5I from the position shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 20 towards the position shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 20, a small transverse slit 320 (Fig. 42) is formed in the skin or casing I2 near the advanced end of this next frankfurter by the slitting device I8 preliminary J t t e bar and bearing at its other end against a pin 4 o h formatlon of a 5km stnppmg tab Thls knife actuating bar 255 and which is urged into slitting position by a spring 325 between said holder and said bracket. The slitting knife 32I to return knife holder 262 instantly to the posi;

tion shown in Fig. 12. This is necessary as otherwise the point of knife 260 would protrude below the bar I54 during the return movement I 54 was lowered onto it. I

has an upper section 326 secured to the holder 322 by a releasable connection 321 of the same type by which the ligature severing knife 260 is mounted-on its holder 262, and has a lower section 328 angularly offset from said upper section to permit it to slit the skin I2 near the advanced tip of the frankfurter just above the center thereof, and serrated at its-lower cutting edge 330.

The slitting knife 32I moves with the knife actuating bar 255 and as said bar is moved endwise along the upper feeler bar I54 in the manner described, this knife is moved angularly about its pivot support 323 towards and away from of bar 255 and injure the frankfurter when bar As the knife actuating bar 255 returns endwise towards the right (Fig. 12)}the notch-298 on the knife actuating bar 255 by screws 338. This 

